Inter-Korean trade surge 52 percent in January

SEOUL, Feb. 18 (Yonhap) -- Trade between South and North Korea showed steep
growth last month despite political tensions between the divided states, a
government report showed Thursday.
According to the report by the Korea Customs Service, inter-Korean trade soared
52.1 percent from a year ago to US$169.37 million in January. By region, Seoul
accounted for 50.8 percent of total trade.
South Korea's exports to the North amounted to $79.91 million while its imports
from the communist country came to $89.46 million, with the South's trade deficit
with the North reaching $9.55 million, the report said.
In December 2009, South Korea posted a surplus of $23.91 million from its trade
with the North for the first time in 16 months amid the global economic crisis.
The surge came in spite of political tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
Bilateral trade has increased steadily over the past decade from $328.65 million
in 1999 to $651.68 million in 2002 and surpassing the $1 billion mark for the
first time in 2005.
Inter-Korean trade reached $1.79 billion in 2007 and peaked at $1.82 billion the
following year. But it fell slightly last year to $1.66 billion.
jia@yna.co.kr
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